What Vijayadashami is
After Navratri's nine nights, the tenth day is Vijayadashami, called Dussehra in north India. It is Ashvina Shukla Dashami. Tradition ties it to two victories: Rama's over Ravana and the Goddess Durga's over Mahishasura.
Muhurta Chintamani calls Ashvina Shukla Dashami ‘Vijaya’ and describes it as bringing work to completion, finer still with Shravana nakshatra. So many families begin things today: new work, a purchase, a child's first letters.
How the date is decided
Shastra (Dharmasindhu): the Dashami taken is the one present in the aparahna (the afternoon part of the day).
- In the afternoon on the second day only → the second day.
- On both days, or on neither → the first day (with or without Shravana).
- But if in such a case Shravana nakshatra is joined to only one of the days, Dharmasindhu points to that day, and gives further sub-cases.
So the main test is the afternoon, and Shravana decides a tie. Victory marches and boundary-crossing were done at this time of day, hence the stress on the afternoon.
The story: tradition / Purana story
Rama and Ravana: tradition holds that in the war at Lanka, Rama defeated Ravana on this Dashami. In north India the Ramlila runs through Navratri, and on Dashami effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are burned: truth prevailing over pride and injustice.
The Goddess and Mahishasura: in another tradition the Goddess defeated Mahishasura on the tenth day after nine days of battle.
The Shami tree: in the Mahabharata tradition the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their year in disguise and took them back on this day. So in Maharashtra and Karnataka shami and apta leaves are shared as ‘gold’.
How families celebrate
North India: the Ramlila ends and effigies burn. Bengal: Durga immersion, ‘sindoor khela’ by married women, and ‘Bijoya’ greetings. Karnataka: the grand Mysuru Dasara procession. Himachal: Kullu's Dussehra, which begins on Dashami and runs seven days. Maharashtra: seemollanghan, apta leaves, worship of tools and weapons. South: Ayudha puja (on Navami) and children's first letters on Vijayadashami. Traders and craftspeople worship their tools, vehicles and books.
A simple puja
Dharmasindhu gives Aparajita puja, crossing the boundary, Shami puja and setting out on journeys for this day. A simple home form:
- In the afternoon, remember the Goddess Aparajita at the shrine: flowers, roli, rice.
- If a Shami tree is near, worship it and walk around it; if not, use its leaves or apta leaves.
- Tilak and flowers on tools, books, vehicles, the computer: respect for one's work.
- Walk a few steps out of the house and return: the spirit of crossing the boundary.
- Bow to elders and share shami or apta leaves as ‘gold’.
Safety
Effigy burning: keep a safe distance, and stand upwind. Hold children's hands, avoid crush points and note the way out first. Fewer fireworks in effigies are better for air and ears; people with asthma can stay away from the smoke.
Immersion: at Durga immersions don't wade into deep water; artificial tanks are better. Don't strip shami and apta trees of leaves; the tree is part of the respect too.
In ePandit
In ePandit: our calendar shows the festival day with your city's sunrise and sunset. The day is decided once, for Ujjain; your city's times are shown separately. We don't compute muhurta yet, and we never call a festival good or bad for anyone.